Police Uncover £761k 'Maze-Like' Cannabis Factory

Police officers in Yorkshire have uncovered a sophisticated, maze-like cannabis factory with an estimated street value exceeding £750,000. The discovery was made on Friday, January 30, when eight officers from the Rotherham Central Neighbouring Policing Team executed a warrant at a warehouse on Thames Street in Rotherham, South Yorkshire.

Inside, authorities found 761 cannabis plants spread across several floors of the disused commercial building. The rooms were interconnected via holes in the walls, creating a complex network for cultivating the illegal crop. The total estimated value of the seized plants is approximately £761,000, marking it as one of the largest cannabis raids in South Yorkshire.

The operation, known as 'Operation Grow', targets the illegal production and supply of cannabis within Rotherham. Since its inception in 2021, this initiative has led to the seizure of 'tens of millions of pounds worth of cannabis.' The recent raid was prompted by unusual power outages and resident complaints about strange smells, alerting both police and the National Powergrid.

Inspector John Crapper emphasized the critical link between cannabis cultivation and organized crime, noting the potential risks to residents from bypassed electricity and the funding of illegal activities. While no arrests were made at the scene, investigations are actively ongoing. The public is urged to report any suspicious activity related to drug production.